A look at theology and culture

Archive for August, 2012

While we relate the words above to exasperated parents wearied by the incessant “why’s” of their non-comprehending children, I have something a bit different in mind. “Because I say so” is the principle by which truth is established in our culture.

Take, for instance, the silly and adolescent opposition by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to Chick-fil-A’s building a new restaurant in Chicago: “Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values.”

The controversy, of course, goes back to the views of Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s president, concerning homosexual marriage: “We are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit.” He went on to say, “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”

Mayor Emanuel’s former boss, President Obama, ran for the presidency as a proponent of traditional marriage: “I believe that marriage is between a man and woman and I am not in favor of gay marriage.” Well, that was so 2008 and necessary to win the election. Sensing a change in the political winds, President Obama now states, “I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”

And now, according to Baptist Press, “The Democratic Party’s new platform is set to include a plank endorsing the legalization of gay marriage, marking the first time that either major party has taken such a position, several media outlets reported Monday (July 30).” No one should be surprised.

Evidently Mr. Emanuel had little problem with then-Senator Obama’s opposition to homosexual marriage. What was a good idea in 2008, however, no longer reflects “Chicago values.” Why? Because Mr. Emanuel says so. The definition of marriage must be changed. Why? Because President Obama, ever the political opportunist, says so. Recognition of homosexual marriage is a must. Why? Because the Democratic Party says so.

Rahm Emanuel, President Obama, the Democratic Party, and many other Americans, including Republicans who also support homosexual marriage though the party as a whole does not, have simply set themselves against God. Truth cannot be simply whatever we say. Jesus said, “I am the . . . truth” (John 14:6). The Scriptures clearly reveal that marriage is between a man and a woman (Gen 2:23-24; Matt 19:4-6). Homosexuality is clearly condemned in both the Old and the New Testaments (Gen 19:1–11; Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rom 1:26–27; 1 Cor 6:9–11; 1 Tim 1:8–10). To say otherwise is simply dishonest.

Mr. Cathy stands in stark and courageous contrast to the pandering Emanuels, Obamas, and other left-wing activists that have hijacked the Democratic Party and given us people like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid as national leaders: “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say ‘We know better than You’ as to what constitutes a marriage. I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a proud, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about.”